
Get exclusive shopping offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.
Updated
If you think ironing is time-consuming, consider buying a garment steamer to do the work. These handy devices are designed to smooth away wrinkles with ease.
Name | Avg. price (USD) | Wattage | Heat-up time | Steam output (g/min) | Water tank capacity (lt) | Wheels | Purchase |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Philips GC320![]() | $75 | 1000/td> | 60 seconds | 20 | 0.06 | No | Shop now |
T-fal Access Steamer![]() | $120 | 1500 | 45 seconds | 22 | 0.2 | No | Shop now |
Philips Steam&Go GC362/80![]() | $129.00 | 1300 | 60 seconds | 24 | 0.07 | No | Shop now |
Tefal Master Precision IT6540![]() | $149.00 | 1500 | 45 seconds | 30 | 2.5 | Yes | Shop now |
Rowenta Master Valet Garment Steamer![]() | $179.00 | 1800 | 45 seconds | 35 | 3.2 | Yes | Shop now |
A garment steamer is an appliance designed to remove wrinkles from clothes, linens, upholstery and curtains. They heat water from a tank to make steam, then releases that steam through a nozzle. You use that nozzle on your clothing, and in minutes the wrinkles are gone.
You don’t need to apply any pressure — just hang up your garment and start steaming.
There are several key reasons why you might buy a steamer instead of an iron to rid your clothes of wrinkles:
If you’re looking for an appliance that can completely replace your iron, a garment steamer probably won’t fit the bill. While they can be quite effective on dresses and suits, they often don’t perform as well on fabrics like cotton, wool and denim. They also can’t provide that crisp, pressed look that a thorough ironing can.
Additionally, handheld steamers usually max out at around 17 minutes of steam time. That means you may need to keep up on your steaming. Ones that last longer will cost more. Also, some steamers can leave material damp, so you can’t always steam-and-wear your outfits.
You have three main options available when buying a clothes steamer:
Before buying a steamer, think about how you plan to use your new appliance. What clothes and other items will you be steaming? Will you only be using it occasionally or every day? Do you want a steamer portable enough to take with you when you travel?
You’ll get a better idea of the features you need when you compare the garment steamers out there.
The best garment steamer for you depends on your budget and how you plan on using it. To help make the decision easier, we’ve compared the pros and cons of five popular steamers:
The good | The bad | |
---|---|---|
PurSteam Elite |
|
|
Jiffy J-2000 |
|
|
Rowenta DR8080 |
|
|
Epica 800 Watt |
|
|
Conair GS23 ExtremeSteam |
|
|
Garment steamers can be a very handy tool to have in your wardrobe or pack in your suitcase. Compare a few models within your budget to get the best value.
To select the best garment steamers, we conducted online research to find some of the most popular models currently on the market. We also factored in overall features, size, price and type.
What’s the difference between a garment steamer and a steam station iron?
Steam stations consist of a water tank and an iron that sits on top, making them closer to a regular iron than a steamer. Steam station irons are bigger, bulkier and more effective than traditional steam irons, but they can cost anywhere from $250 to more than $1,000.
Do garment steamers clean your clothes?
Steamers can help to eliminate odor-causing bacteria and allergens, making them especially helpful for cleaning drapes and upholstery. Steaming your clothes can help to freshen them up in between washes, but it shouldn’t be used as an alternative to laundering your clothing.
Which fabrics can be steamed?
Many common fabrics can be steamed, including cotton, silk, wool and polyester. Materials like suede and waxed jackets should not be steamed.
Find both veterans and up-and-coming brands in a wide range of industries — from beauty to coffee to interior design.
You’re missing out big time if you don’t have a shacket — shirt/jacket hybrid. We tracked down the best shackets for every style, from eclectic to classic.
Scoop up some of the best deals on girls’ clothing, from cozy sweaters, comfy athletic wear and everything in between. Plus see where to get free shipping.
Learn when your home insurance policy would and wouldn’t pay to remove this building material.
Whether you’re a student or an industry professional, we broke down the best 3D printers to suit your needs — from budget options to accessible features.
We broke down the nitty gritty of maskne, from the skincare products that treat pimples to tips for preventing mask-related breakouts.
Learn how to choose an air purifier to filter harmful particles out of the air so you can breathe easier in your home or office.
Grills, smokers and more built with premium materials and best-in-class design, right here in the USA. We verified every brand on our list of top picks.
Quality bedding from a digital company committed to the triple bottom line. Here’s what to expect after 7 nights of sleep — including 4-piece sets from $160.
We’ll help you choose the best toilet paper for your home or office.